Infant carrier for back pack frame

ABSTRACT

An infant carrier is conformable for quick-releasable, telescoping attachment to the upper end of a conventional back pack frame so that the weight of the child is placed above the shoulders of the individual carrying the frame and is applied through the main side frame members of the pack while permitting the normal load to be carried on the back pack frame.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Clark G. Parsons 1180 Drexel, Boulder, Colo. 80302 [21] Appl. No. 806,913 [22] Filed Mar. 13, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [54] INFANT CARRIER FOR BACK PACK FRAME 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

52 U.S. Cl 224/6,

. 224/9, 224/25 A [51] Int. Cl A47d 13/02 [50] Field of Search 224/6,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,212 4/1956 Siftar 224/6 2,836,334 5/1958 Davis 224/9 X 3,206,087 9/1965 Tyrrell 224/8 3,265,260 8/1966 Romney 224/25.l X FOREIGN PATENTS 72,490 8/ l 947 Norway Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Alt0rneyJohn E. Reilly ABSTRACT: An infant carrier is conformable for quickreleasable, telescoping attachment to the upper end of a conventional back pack frame so that the weight of the child is placed above the shoulders of the individual carrying the frame and is applied through the main side frame members of the pack while permitting the normal load to be carried on the back pack frame.

PATENTED [1m 5|97l 3510 4 91 NVHNTOR.

CLARK G. PARSONS BY I ATTORNE INFANT CARRIER FOR BACK PACK FRAME This invention relates to a new and useful infant carrier and more particularly relates to an infant carrier which is adaptable for attachment to a conventional back pack frame.

It is customary to provide an infant carrier in the fonn of an auxiliary frame which is permanently or removably attachable to a back pack frame. In many respects, however, commercially available carriers have not been satisfactory since they occupy a substantial part of the space on the main frame normally utilized to carry the camping equipment. Moreover, the weight of the child is usually carried at some point beneath the shoulders and spaced rearwardly of the back so as to effectively increase the load. Still further, placement of the infant carrier on the main portion of the frame usually necessitates that the child face opposite to the direction of travel. It is therefore highly desirable in accordance with the present invention to provide aninfant carrier comformable for attachment to the upper part of a back pack frame in such a way as not to interfere with the normal load-carrying capacity of the frame and further in such a way that the weight of the child is applied more nearly in a vertical direction above the shoulders of the individual carrying the frame. Furthermore, the carrier can be mounted on the frame such thatthe child will face in a forward direction with his legs extending over the shoulders of the adult and which arrangement considerably increases the comfort both of the child and of the adult in walking appreciable distances.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved infant carrier which is lightweight, simplified in construction and in its manner of attachment to a conventional back pack frame.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide an infant carrier which is conformable for attachment to the upper end of a back pack frame so as not to interfere with or reduce the normal load-carrying capacity of the back pack frame and which affords maximum freedom of movement for the child while being safe and dependable in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved infant carrier which is releasably attachable to the upper end of a back pack frame of the type having upright tubular side frame members and wherein the child can be positioned in the infant carrier above the main frame in a forwardly facing direction with his weight applied vertically through the frame. The present invention contemplates an infant carrier which is releasably attachable to a conventional back pack frame. In the preferred form, the infant carrier is intended for releasable attachment to a back pack frame of the type having upright tubular side frame members, and the infant carrier includes an auxiliary open frame having spaced-apart vertical leg members for telescoping extension through the upper open ends of the main or upright side frame members and with the open carrier frame extending horizontally and rearwardly from the upper extremities of the upright side frame members so as to place it in spaced relation above the shoulders of the wearers body. An infant carrier pouch is suspended from the open horizontal frame so that the child can be positioned in the pouch with his legs extending through forwardly spaced leg openings above the shoulders of the wearer and the child facing in a forward direction. The open frame is also most desirably provided with inclined brace members extending downwardly and inwardly from the rearward corners of the frame to engage a cross brace on the main back pack frame and support the entire carrier portion in cooperation with the vertical legs rigidly on the back pack frame.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily understood and appreciated from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred form thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of infant carrier in assembled relation to the upper end of a conventional back pack frame, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating in more detail the manner of interconnection between the auxiliary infant carrier frame and the upper end of a conventional frame; and

HO. 3 is a side view of the auxiliary frame portion of the infant carrier as shown in FIG. 1 in connected relation to a back pack frame.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, thcreis illustrated in FIG. 1 a conventional back pack frame 10 having spaced upright side members 12, preferably of tubular construction, and cross brace members l3, l4 and 15 located at spaced intervals transversely between the upper, intermediate and lower ends, respectively, of the upright side members 12. Vertical connecting rods 16 serve to interconnect and reinforce the cross bars 13 to 15 so as to define a unitary rigid frame. Relatively wide, flexible bands 18 and 19 are looped about the upper and lower ends of the frame 10, and the flexible bands may be suitably composed of a webbing, duck or canvas material. These bands are also suitably tied together in a conventional manner, not shown, and are so positioned as to bear against the shoulder and small of the back of the individual carrying the frame so as to prevent the frame proper from directly contacting the persons back.

Padded shoulder straps 22 are suitably attached to the upper cross brace 13 and have lower adjustment straps 23 looped through connectors 25 at the lower extremities of the upright side frames 12. The straps are spaced apart so that an individual may pass his arms through the straps with the straps extending over the shoulders and across the sides with the upright side frame members 12 projecting a substantial distance above the shoulders. In the customary manner, a suitable pack may be strapped to the back of the frame for the purpose of carrying camping equipment and supplies. and. although the pack is not shown, is dimensioned to occupythc entire space between the upper and lower cross brace members in order to spread the load as uniformly as possible over the entire frame. Again the foregoing description of the frame 10 is given for the purpose of illustration, not limitation, as a setting for the important features of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, an infant carrier attachment 28 is constructed for releasable attachment to the upper end of the back pack frame and, for this purpose, comprises an auxiliary open frame 29 having rigid side frame members 30 and a back frame member 31 extending between the rearward ends of the side frame members and rigidly interconnected by suitable means, such as wood screws, not shown. In thepreferred form, the side and back frame members 30 and 31 are each suitably composed of a solid wooden bar of generally rectangular cross section; and in the alternative the frame members 30 and 31 may be formed of metal rods or tubes and the like. The infant carrier seat portion 34 is suspended from the side and back frame members 30 and 31 and preferably takes the form of a flexible canvas pouch having a flexible seat section 35 and a front panel section 36 with front leg openings 37. The upper sides and back of the pouch 34 are looped over the rigid side and back frame members 30 and 31 and are stitched or otherwise secured together in a manner not shown. In addition, a continuous reinforcing web or strap 40 extends through the side and back loops as well as through a front loop 42 in order to securely attach the infant carrier portion to the frame.

The infant carrier assembly is releasably attached to the upper end of the back pack frame by vertical legs 44 extending downwardly from permanent connection to the front ends of the side frame members 30, and the vertical legs 44 are sized for telescoping extension through the upper open ends of the tubular side frame members 12. In addition, inclined braces 46 are rigidly connected by suitable means, such as connecting screws to the rear comers of the side and back frame members 30 and 31 for downward and inward sloping extension toward the upper cross brace 13. The lower ends of the braces are provided with downwardly directed, U-shaped open slots 48 that are sized to receive the upper cross brace member 13. it will be evident, therefore, that the infant carrier may be readily assembled to the main back pack frame simply by insertion of the vertical legs through the open upper ends of the upright side frame members 12 and disposition of the inclined braces on the upper cross brace member 13. When the infant is placed in the pouch, his legs are passed over the shoulders of the individual carrying the frame so that the infant is facing in a forward direction. As a result, the weight of the infant is applied more nearly in a vertical direction from above the shoulders vertically through the entire back pack frame. This permits the adult to grasp the legs of the infant and to provide the infant with a greater sense of security; yet at the same time will afford maximum freedom of movement. If desired, auxiliary straps, not shown, may be placed on the infant carrier to more securely strap the infant in place, although such is not considered to be essential and forms no part of the present invention.

The particular configuration of the infant carrier seat portion 34 as well as the auxiliary frame is susceptible of variation; for example, the carrier pouch may be any of the commercial forms now available, such as, those formed of open webbing or straps. Moreover, although the specific means of attachment of the infant carrier frame to the upper ends of the back pack frame is thought to be novel, such may be suitably varied to confonn to different types and configurations of the back pack frames.

While the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that changes in details of structure and system components may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

I. An infant carrier conformable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright side frame members, said carrier comprising an auxiliary open frame including vertical leg members releasably attachable to the upper ends of said upright side frame members, and an infant carrier of portion suspended from said auxiliary open frame to support the weight of the child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.

2. An infant carrier according to claim 1, said carrier seat portion being in the form of a flexible portion having front leg openings therein.

3. An infant back pack frame carrier adaptable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright tubular side members extending above the shoulders of an individual carrying said frame, said infant carrier comprising:

an auxiliary open frame having vertical legs adapted for telescoping extension through the upper open ends of said upright side frame members, a horizontal frame portion rigidly connected to said vertical legs for rearward, horizontal extension therefrom, and

an infant carrier portion suspended from said horizontal frame portion to support the weight of a child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.

4. An infant back pack frame carrier according to claim 3, said infant carrier portion being in the form of a pouch with front leg openings for passage of the infant's legs forwardly over the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.

5. An infant carrier conformable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright side frame members, said carrier comprising an auxiliary open frame including vertical leg members releasably attachable to said upright side frame members, and an infant carrier seat portion suspended from said auxiliary open frame to support the weight of the child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame, said auxiliary open frame further including horizontal side and back frame members for suspension of said seat portion rearwardly of said upright side frame members, and brace members onsaid open frame extending downwardly and inwardly into releasablc engagement with said back pack frame, Y I g 6. An infant carrier according'to claim 5, said base members inclining downwardly and forwardly from the rearwardmost corners formed by the connection of said side and back frame members. 

1. An infant carrier conformable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright side frame members, said carrier comprising an auxiliary open frame including vertical leg members releasably attachable to the upper ends of said upright side frame members, and an infant carrier of portion suspended from said auxiliary open frame to support the weight of the child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.
 2. An infant carrier according to claim 1, said carrier seat portion being in the form of a flexible portion having front leg openings therein.
 3. An infant back pack frame carrier adaptable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright tubular side members extending above the shoulders of an individual carrying said frame, said infant cArrier comprising: an auxiliary open frame having vertical legs adapted for telescoping extension through the upper open ends of said upright side frame members, a horizontal frame portion rigidly connected to said vertical legs for rearward, horizontal extension therefrom, and an infant carrier portion suspended from said horizontal frame portion to support the weight of a child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.
 4. An infant back pack frame carrier according to claim 3, said infant carrier portion being in the form of a pouch with front leg openings for passage of the infant''s legs forwardly over the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame.
 5. An infant carrier conformable for releasable connection to a back pack frame of the type having upright side frame members, said carrier comprising an auxiliary open frame including vertical leg members releasably attachable to said upright side frame members, and an infant carrier seat portion suspended from said auxiliary open frame to support the weight of the child above the shoulders of the individual carrying said back pack frame, said auxiliary open frame further including horizontal side and back frame members for suspension of said seat portion rearwardly of said upright side frame members, and brace members on said open frame extending downwardly and inwardly into releasable engagement with said back pack frame.
 6. An infant carrier according to claim 5, said base members inclining downwardly and forwardly from the rearwardmost corners formed by the connection of said side and back frame members. 